---
title: "Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "James Anderson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 63 of 159
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/63/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. James Anderson, Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5, section 63. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/63/"
---

# Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5

*John Calvin, tr. James Anderson*

Calvin on the Psalms, volume 5 of 5.

## 63. Psalm 39

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/63/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/63/#p-N

[¶0] To the Chief Musician, Jeduthun. A Psalm of David

[¶1] 1 I said “I will take heed to my ways, “That I sin not with my tongue: “I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, “While the ungodly man standeth before me.”

[¶2] 2 I was dumb not uttering a word; I held my peace [even] from good; And my sorrow was stirred.

[¶3] 3 My heart became hot within me; In my musing a fire did burn; I spake with my tongue.

[¶4] 4 Cause me to know, O Jehovah! my end, And the number of my days, That I may know of what duration I am.

[¶5] 5 Behold! as an handbreadth thou hast made my days, And my duration is as nothing before thee: Surely altogether vanity is every mart while he standeth.

[¶6] 6 Surely in a shadow man walketh; [Selah. Surely in vain is he disquieted: They heap together, and know not who shall gather.

[¶7] 7 And now what do I wait for, O Lord? My hope is towards thee.

[¶8] 8 From all my sins deliver thou me: The reproach of the foolish make me not.

[¶9] 9 I was dumb; I will not open my mouth, Because thou hast done it.

[¶10] 10 Remove from me thy stroke: By the blow of thy hand I have failed.

[¶11] 11 With rebukes for iniquity thou chastisest man; And causest to waste away as a moth his beauty: Surely vanity is every man. Selah.

[¶12] 12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah! And to my cry give ear; At my tears be not silent; For a stranger am I before thee, A sojourner like all my fathers.

[¶13] 13 Let me alone, that I may recover strength, Before I depart and be no more.